Suzuki Swift Repair Costs

Conkermon

I'm thinking of buying a 2010 Suzuki Swift as a first car and had pretty much made up my mind until I read that it was a very expensive car to repair.

This bumper impact test says it all really (can't post links so will have to be copy and paste - apologies): youtube.com/watch?v=y3KEBB3wQ_Y

'Suzuki Swift: Front repair cost* £2,282.54 - POOR.'

Just wondering if anyone has heard of or has experienced expensive Swift repairs? I've not found any evidence of people complaining online so am hoping that the real life cost of repairs is not so dear.

fivetide

I should think you don't have to worry about the costs of repairing the front of the thing unless you plan to go crashing it.

I'd be more concerned with the cost of wear and tear parts/servicing etc.

If you are comprehensively insured and the worst does happen, you'll be unlikely to be paying that out anyway and I'm sure the insurance company will factor in this sort of cost to the premium.

Parents have one, good little car but theirs is the sport so slightly hard ride.

5t.

Stigy

As has been said, crash repairs shouldn't matter too much unless you intend on crashing. Servicing and mechanical repairs should be higher on the list.

bigdave196

A friend of mine has an 08 Swift and had a <10MPH crash into a steel pillar in an IKEA car park. That resulted in a very large crease in the front of the car (and a cracked gearbox case) and has cost him about £2k to get fixed. So yeah, if you crash one, they're not cheap to fix

Conkermon

Cheers for the responses guys. I don't plan to crash it but it's going to be my first car and accidents happen! I know servicing/maintenance isn't going to cost a bomb and they rate well for reliability.

I can't seem to find a superior option for the price anyway so I'll probably take my chances.

jase1

All manufacturers' panel prices can be stupid expensive. Moral of story -- use salvage parts.

The Swift uses a Toyota engine, gearbox and a lot of GM running gear -- none of which are particularly expensive to keep on the road.

Stigy

Not always necessary to use dealer body parts either, as with most parts, specialist companies often make body panels. Not all 'patern' body parts fit as well as genuine ones, but they're a lot cheaper!

AlexisV

Are you not planning on buying insurance :-)

If the parts are more expensive, it'll be reflected in your insurance costs.

But if only 5% of Swifts ever need repairs, and 20% of Corsas need money spending on them, which one will be cheaper to insure?

50Twuncle

I am on my second swift - a 2011 automatic which I think is the best car that I have ever owned - the economy is superb (average 47 mpg for an automatic) - it is reliable, comfortable and not that slow (for a 1.2) produced 93bhp (thats what a 1.6 put out until recently) - I have had one collision when a dozy woman failed to brake in time and nutted my rear end on my previous 2009 model - this was about 2mph and cracked the rear bumper in 2 tiny places - I didn't bother persueing her for insurance NCD may have been affected - but the new car is built the same - so don't know about costs - the car is well screwed together - no rattles or squeaks - strongly recommended when compared to the opposition - avoid french cars (Renault/Citroen/Peugot) - they appear good value from new - but quickly age and deteriorate and cost just as much as any others for new body parts.....
Suzuki are still running their VAT free offer - too !

Stigy

AlexisV wrote: »

Are you not planning on buying insurance :-)

If the parts are more expensive, it'll be reflected in your insurance costs.

But if only 5% of Swifts ever need repairs, and 20% of Corsas need money spending on them, which one will be cheaper to insure?

I see what you're saying, but a lot of people would sooner repair the damage privately if it's only something like a bumper, so as not to affect their premiums. Assuming it was their own fault of course!